Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
98 results found in digital accessibility.
- AI-Generated Alt Text (Automated Alt Text, AI Image Descriptions)
- Alternative text for images that is automatically generated by artificial intelligence systems rather than written by humans. AI-generated alt text has become increasingly common on social media platf…
- Accessibility Feature Discovery (Feature Discoverability, Accessibility Settings Discovery)
- The process by which users become aware of, find, understand, and adopt accessibility features and settings available on their devices or in software. Research consistently shows that many users who c…
- Accessibility Feature Discovery (Feature Discoverability, Accessibility Awareness)
- The process by which users learn about, find, and activate accessibility features available on their devices or in software. Research shows that the vast majority of users — particularly older adults …
- Accessibility Testing (A11y Testing)
- The practice of evaluating software, websites, or digital products to ensure they can be used by people with disabilities, including those using assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice re…
- Accessible Fintech (Accessible Financial Technology, accessFinTech)
- The design and development of financial technology products and services — including online banking, mobile payments, digital wallets, and cryptocurrency platforms — that are usable by people with dis…
- Accessible Maps (Accessible Mapping, Accessible Cartography)
- Maps and navigation tools designed to be usable by people with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, motor, and cognitive impairments. Accessible maps address both the digital accessibility …
- Accessible PDF (Tagged PDF, PDF/UA)
- An accessible PDF is a Portable Document Format file that has been structured with tags, reading order, alternative text for images, and other metadata so that it can be navigated and read by assistiv…
- Accessible Programming (Accessible Software Development, Inclusive Coding)
- Accessible programming encompasses the tools, practices, and accommodations that enable people with disabilities to write, test, debug, and maintain software code. Challenges for disabled developers i…
- Accessible Software (Accessible Application, Accessible Program)
- Software that is designed and developed so that people with disabilities can effectively perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute using the application. Accessible software proper…
- Accessible Virtual Environments (Accessible Virtual Worlds)
- Virtual spaces and worlds designed to be navigable and usable by people with disabilities, including consideration of locomotion methods, barrier placement, spatial layout, and environmental features.…
- Algospeak (Algorithm-Friendly Language, Algo-Speak)
- The practice of using code words, creative spellings, or substitutions in online content to avoid algorithmic detection, censorship, or demonetization by social media platforms. Examples include spell…
- Artboard (Canvas, Slide Canvas, 2-D Canvas)
- An artboard is a two-dimensional digital workspace used in presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote), graphic design tools, and whiteboard applications where objects like text boxes, …
- Avatar (Virtual Avatar)
- A digital representation of a human user in a virtual environment that facilitates interaction with other users, entities, and the environment. Avatars range from simple floating hands to full-body re…
- Avatar Customization (Avatar Creation, Character Customization)
- The ability for users to modify the appearance, characteristics, and features of their virtual avatar, including body shape, clothing, accessories, and disability-related features such as wheelchairs …
- Block-Based Programming (Visual Block Programming, Block Coding, Blocks-Based Programming)
- A programming paradigm where users create code by selecting and connecting visual blocks that snap together like puzzle pieces, rather than typing text-based syntax. Each block represents a programmin…
- Calendar Accessibility (Accessible Scheduling)
- The degree to which calendar applications and scheduling tools can be effectively used by people with disabilities, particularly blind and low vision users who rely on screen readers. Calendar accessi…
- Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
- A digital form of a country's official currency issued and regulated by its central bank, designed to function as legal tender alongside physical cash. CBDCs raise significant accessibility and inclus…
- Computational Notebook (Jupyter Notebook, Data Science Notebook, IPython Notebook)
- A computational notebook is an interactive document that combines executable code, rich text, data visualizations, and narrative explanations in a single shareable format. Widely used in data science,…
- Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)
- Communication that occurs through digital devices and platforms, including text messaging, email, video conferencing, voice chat, and social media. Computer-mediated communication raises accessibility…
- Concurrent Exploration (Concurrent Slide Access, Simultaneous Exploration)
- The ability for screen reader users to independently browse and interact with visual content (such as presentation slides) at the same time as a presenter is speaking, mirroring the way sighted audien…